Redefining Success: How To Know When It's Time To Pivot
There’s something powerful that happens when we admit to ourselves the truth of how we really feel about our work, our life.
Not the version we share with peers or even close friends, but the quieter, personal truth. The kind that comes from the depths of our body. It sounds like a gentle voice that whispers:
This isn’t feeling so great… even if everyone else thinks it does.
It can feel both unnerving and like a release to finally give voice to something we’ve known for a while. Speaking that truth feels so good.
Entire life shifts often begin with a single moment of reflection. A willingness to be honest: How do I really feel?
“Your body knows when you’re home. And it knows when you’re not. Listen to it.”
- Martha Beck
What a Pivot Really Looks Like
Over the years, I’ve seen this same moment arrive for many leaders at a crossroad: the work no longer brings joy. The learning curve flattens.
Sometimes, there’s a distinct moment—a subtle awakening—when something inside us shifts.
We begin to crave more authenticity, more meaning, more freedom. We realize that success, as we’ve defined it, no longer feels right.
We want our work and life to reflect our actual values—not just the performance goals we’ve been chasing on autopilot. That awakening marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Still, so many of us resist these moments of reflection—because we’re afraid of what they might reveal.
One of my clients recently found herself wondering:
Should I start my own company? Or pivot toward work that reflects what I care about now?
We started to explore. What energizes you now? What feels meaningful? What’s calling for your attention?
As Jenny Blake shares in her book Pivot, you don’t need to have it all figured out to move forward. Your next move evolves from what’s already working now and letting clarity emerge through the steps you take.
That’s the kind of shift this client made. She didn’t change everything—she evolved into something more aligned: she reduced the amount of days she works, as she’s working toward pivoting into consulting.
Now that we are at the beginning of Q2, is a great time for reflection and for setting your vision.
🌿 A Reflection Practice for Q2
Let your life and work speak to you—they are living, breathing ecosystems that need tending. Set aside 15–20 minutes. Let your energy drop into your heart, and reflect:
1. What Worked Well, and What Didn’t?
What worked well in Q1 (Jan–Mar), in life and in work? What in my work felt aligned, energizing, or life-giving?
What felt off, draining, or heavy—even if I pushed through?
2. How Do You Want to Feel in Q2?
More grounded? More organized? More creative? More clear? Let your values be your compass to guide your decisions, your schedule, your energy.
3. Activate Your Vision
Imagine it’s June 30. You feel proud and aligned. What are you celebrating? What did you say yes to? And what did you stop doing?
✨ Choose an Empowering Belief
Something to keep in mind as you take action toward your vision you defined above: pay attention to conflicting desires.
Sometimes, one part of us wants to achieve and make an impact, while another part might actually oppose it, because it craves rest, ease and more time for nurturing our relationships.
We're often taught we have to choose—financial prosperity or meaningful work, family or ambition, success or wellbeing.
But what if that’s a false choice?
This is where the “yes… and…” reframe becomes so powerful. You can be ambitious and protect your wellbeing.
One of the most powerful practices you can build is to intentionally choose an empowering belief to guide you toward your vision (which could be a pivot).
From a neuroscience perspective, this is more than mindset work—it’s rewiring our brain. Every time you choose a new thought, you strengthen the neural pathways that support it.
Over time, this repetition reshapes how you see yourself and what you believe is possible.
Here’s one of the affirmations I return to regularly to reframe those fear-based, automatic thoughts:
My work nourishes my soul and supports my family. Purpose and prosperity are not opposites.
In conclusion…
Redefining success means choosing a path that feels truly fulfilling. It’s about doing work you love—with a sense of ease and alignment.
Let this new quarter be shaped not by frantic pressure—but by focusing on what truly matters.
With love—and belief in your unfolding path,
Ramona
P.S. If this stirred something in you—if you're at a turning point or simply craving more clarity and fulfillment in your work—I’d be honored to support you. Reach out HERE if you’d like to explore how coaching can support you in Q2.
Hi, I’m Ramona, a leadership coach and trainer helping high-achieving professionals lead with confidence, clarity, and ease—without burnout or self-doubt.
I’ve coached and led workshops at Google, Meta, Warner Media, Cisco, Deloitte, Accenture, Mars, VC firms, and mid-size startups, helping leaders break free from overwork, self-doubt, and people-pleasing.
With a blend of neuroscience, mindset coaching, and leadership strategy, I guide leaders through career transitions, executive presence, and personal growth. My credentials include: IPEC Certified Leadership Coach | Certified Positive Intelligence Coach Emotional Intelligence Trainer | Mindfulness Meditation Teacher
Before coaching, I spent years as a marketing leader in tech (Twitter, eBay, Ancestry, StubHub), so I deeply understand the pressures of corporate leadership.
I believe that when leaders step into their full potential, they don’t just advance their careers—they create ripples of positive change.
